Tena koutou katoa. Nga mihi atawhai nui.

“Holiness does not consist of a few heroic gestures, but of many small acts of daily love.” Holiness is accessible to all of us, not just the superhuman, Pope Francis told 45,000 people gathered at the Vatican last week.

This is very apt, following on from our Bully Free Week last week. One of the initiatives for the 2022 campaign was to find Local Legends. This is someone who makes you feel good every time you see them. Do you just want to say thank you to that one person who helped you get through a tough time? Is there someone local you know of who goes the extra mile to awhi others?

We are on a hunt for Local Legends and would love to hear from you. No matter how big or small the action might be, together we can shine a light on people already doing things that make a difference and inspire others to do the same.

Let’s spread the word and aroha.

Pope Frances encourages us “to serve, that is, not to put our own interests first: to clear our systems of the poison of greed and competitiveness; to fight the cancer of indifference and the worm of self-referentiality. Specifically, we should ask ourselves ‘What do I do for others?’ in order to go about our daily lives in a spirit of service, with unassuming love and without seeking any recompense”.

So, look for your Local Legend, the ‘saints next door’ and let’s all celebrate them. Let their stories inspire us in our daily lives to ‘see the need and make a difference’.

Nominate your Local Legend HERE.